Kentucky Football Announces Key Dates for Roster and Staff Decisions

Kentucky football has announced important dates for roster and staff decisions as new head coach Will Stein embarks on building the future of the program. Stein, who is also coaching at Oregon during their College Football Playoff run, faces a challenging timeline to establish his team.

Key Dates for Kentucky Football

• Early Signing Period: The key date is Wednesday, when most high school prospects for the class of 2026 will sign with colleges. Stein must decide how many of the 14 committed players he plans to keep. Additionally, he may recruit other prospects before the mid-December signing period.
• Transfer Portal Window: Following an NCAA rule change, players at schools that have fired a coach can enter the transfer portal five days after a new coach is hired. This means Kentucky players can start entering the portal this weekend, ahead of other programs that can begin on January 2.
• Selection Sunday: This Sunday, the College Football Playoff field will be announced. Oregon, currently ranked sixth, is expected to host a first-round game on December 19 or 20.

Coaching Staff Decisions

One of Stein’s immediate tasks is determining whether to retain any coaches from the previous staff. Several assistants under Mark Stoops are on expiring contracts, making it unlikely that many will stay. Stein might consider bringing in fresh talent to create a new dynamic for the program.

As one of the youngest head coaches in FBS football, he is expected to hire at least one experienced veteran to guide him through the transition. Building a strong support staff will be crucial for handling recruiting and roster management.

The Transfer Portal Strategy

Since Kentucky has hired a coordinator, it is unlikely to see a large influx of players from Oregon. Instead, Stein’s focus will be on recruiting starter-caliber transfers from other programs. Even before the portal opens in January, efforts to identify potential additions will begin.

Once the portal is officially open, there will be a rush to sign players before the spring semester starts on January 12. Stein will need to quickly prepare for his first spring practice and implement his vision for the Kentucky football program.

As Kentucky football navigates this pivotal transition, attention will remain on the key decisions that shape the future of the program.